Nelson Mandela, the conscience of the world

6:04 PM,
Dec. 8, 2013

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Written by

Eugene Robinson
Columnist

His smile was like sunshine, but Nelson Mandela was made of steel. It was his strength of character, repeatedly tested throughout his long and impossibly full life, that made him one of the towering political figures of our time.

"Our nation has lost its greatest son," South African President Jacob Zuma said as he announced the 95-year-old's death. Zuma was being modest. Mandela belonged to the world.

As the encomiums flood in from around the globe, it is important to remember that Mandela was not always held in such universal esteem. Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, to name two one-time ...